Design
Dialogues
Meet the expert:
Welcome to Hord Coplan Macht's "Design Dialogues" blog series! At Hord Coplan Macht, we pride ourselves on our team of talented and dedicated professionals who are at the forefront of architectural innovation and design excellence. This series is designed to introduce you to the exceptional minds behind our most successful projects, offering a glimpse into their expertise, passion, and the unique perspectives they bring to their work.
CHID, CID, IIDA, EDAC
Heather Flannery is a principal and Certified Interior Designer in Hord Coplan Macht’s healthcare studio. She is responsible for leadership in the design process from concepts to contract documents, and she has been doing so for over 20 years. Heather’s background in architecture allows her the flexibility to work across studios and brings additional knowledge to lead complex interior healthcare projects.
Through insightful Q&A sessions, you'll get to know our experts on a deeper level. Discover what drives their creative processes, the challenges they overcome, and the latest trends they are pioneering. More importantly, learn how these insights can be applied to your own architectural and design projects.
Meet the Expert:
Heather Flannery
Principal Interior Designer
What inspired you to specialize in healthcare interior design, and how has your journey shaped your approach to creating healing environments?
What are some of the most exciting trends you're seeing in healthcare interior design right now, and how are these trends influencing your projects?
How do you incorporate evidence-based design principles into your healthcare projects, and what benefits have you observed for patients, families, and staff?
Can you share a recent project where innovative interior design solutions significantly improved the functionality and aesthetics of a healthcare facility?
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What inspired you to specialize in healthcare interior design, and how has your journey shaped your approach to creating healing environments?
My path to healthcare interior design was deeply personal. It began after my dad passed away from cancer. Spending countless hours in the hospital, I experienced firsthand the challenges—stress, frustration, and sadness—of navigating a facility that wasn’t optimized for patient or family comfort. I vividly remember the impact of my dad being in a semi-private room, getting lost in confusing corridors, and witnessing the raw emotions of families in inadequate consult spaces. These experiences ignited a passion in me to transform what wasn’t working into something that truly supports healing. As a designer, my goal is to create environments that are not only functional but memorable and comforting for all users.
Heather Flannery
What are some of the most exciting trends you're seeing in healthcare interior design right now, and how are these trends influencing your projects?
I love that we are no longer thinking only about the patient but also focusing on the entire healthcare team. While the patient experience remains crucial, there’s a growing emphasis on improving the environment for staff. Everyone deserves a workspace that is safe, comfortable, and a source of pride.
Additionally, hospitals are evolving beyond being solely places for the sick. We are designing spaces for the community—places where people can gather, learn, and embark on their own journeys to well-being.
How do you incorporate evidence-based design principles into your healthcare projects, and what benefits have you observed for patients, families, and staff?
Evidence-based design is at the core of every project I undertake. I always start by researching data and studies that support specific design decisions, ensuring that the spaces we create are tailored to the needs of the users. Following up on projects to gather feedback is equally important. Hearing about the real-world impact of our designs—whether positive or areas for improvement—allows us to continuously evolve and enhance our approach, creating high quality outcomes for patients, families, and staff.
Can you share a recent project where innovative interior design solutions significantly improved the functionality and aesthetics of a healthcare facility?
One of our recent projects involved a major hospital addition and renovation to a community hospital.
We implemented innovative features such as PT (Physical Therapy) alcoves on patient floors, which promote mobility and contribute to faster healing times. We also installed color-tunable lighting in patient rooms to support circadian rhythms and improve sleep patterns. Recognizing the diverse needs of the community, we designed spaces that cater to different cultural and spiritual practices, such as a meditation room for stress relief, an Interfaith Chapel, and a kosher pantry for religious observance. These thoughtful design elements have greatly enhanced the facility's functionality and holistic experience.
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Hord Coplan Macht, 2024
About
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What's the most memorable place you've ever traveled to and why?
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. I was on a gorilla trek standing 12 feet from a mountain gorilla playing with its two babies while other gorillas lounged in the trees above. Being with these endangered species in their natural habitat was an incredible experience.
What inspired you to specialize in healthcare interior design, and how has your journey shaped your approach to creating healing environments?
What are some of the most exciting trends you're seeing in healthcare interior design right now, and how are these trends influencing your projects?
How do you incorporate evidence-based design principles into your healthcare projects, and what benefits have you observed for patients, families, and staff?
Can you share a recent project where innovative interior design solutions significantly improved the functionality and aesthetics of a healthcare facility?
What's the most memorable place you've ever traveled to and why?
What inspired you to specialize in healthcare interior design, and how has your journey shaped your approach to creating healing environments?
What are some of the most exciting trends you're seeing in halthcare interior design right now, and how are these trends influencing your projects?
How do you incorporate evidence-based design principles into your healthcare projects, and what benefits have you observed for patients, families, and staff?
Can you share a recent project where innovative interior design solutions signigicantly improved the functionality and aerthetics of a healthcare facility
What is the most memorable place you've ever
traveled to and why?
